Machine for the packaging of fruits and generally spherical products

ABSTRACT

A machine to pack fruits, vegetables and generally spherical products that require a high production and careful packaging, wherein said machine has a packing crate that receives fruit through multiple feed channels, added to Patent AR061018B1. The machine features the unique characteristic of having three or more tray lines comprised by a different number of channels, and three or more packing crates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates with the type of devices, equipment and appliances used in the processing of generally spherical or near spherical products, including foodstuffs such as fruits; more specifically, the invention is a machine for the packaging of fruits, vegetables and similar products which will be evenly distributed on divider trays and piled up inside packing boxes.

2. Description of the Related Art

The aim of the packing processes for fruits, vegetables and other products is to fill as tightly and evenly as possible the containers or packing boxes.

Generally, the amount of products and/or fruits with spherical or nearly spherical shape that are introduced in each packing box is standardized or previously stipulated.

It is widely known that when opening a packing box containing fruits or something similar, one expects to see a homogeneous and organized distribution of the fruit contained in that box. Likewise, it is normal not to expect marks or bruising that could have occurred during the packing or transportation. For that reason, the uniform distribution, the correct separation between each one of the products and the absence of marks produced during the packing and handling process contribute to the preservation of foodstuffs until the delivery to their final destination.

It should be noted that, to a great extent, the packing cost and the product deterioration are generally affected by the way in which the fruits are packed and thus, there are some manually handled machines and methods available that help in the packing process.

Usually, the packing process is performed manually, especially when the product is easily bruised or prone to deterioration caused by inadequate handling or falling when introduced by any kind of dumping machine. The spherical product and/or fruit is introduced in the box manually, alternating said fruit with cardboard trays or packing paper when necessary, being the handling of fragile products and/or fruits an unavoidable task. This manual method is a slow, expensive process in which the absence of marks depends on the degree of ability of each one of the people involved in said manual processing.

It is also possible to perform the packing mechanically, a process in which after sorting, the product is placed in the package. However, the process of placing products in the cardboard package is not controlled and, for that reason, the incidence of bruising and the evenness of the fruit distribution inside the package is not completely controlled.

Therefore, with the purpose of addressing the need of simultaneously packing a high volume of fruits and/or generally spherical products with handling requirements appropriate for fragile products, it would be convenient to have a machine that allows for the even automated packing of fruits in packing boxes, avoiding the bruising deterioration that the product could suffer during packing. Even though this invention will mainly refer to fruits, it could also be used with any other product of a similar shape, like tennis balls, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention is to provide a packaging machine for fruits, vegetables and/or any other kind of foodstuffs or other kind of product generally spherical or near spherical which need to be carefully packed in layers inside a box, avoiding bruising or mistreatment.

Also, the object of this invention is to provide a machine for the packaging of generally spherical and delicate products such as fruits that can be connected in a compatible way to prior stages of sorting and placing in channels of said fruit or similar products.

Also, the object of this invention is to provide a machine for the packaging of fruits and generally spherical products that performs the processes automatically, without human intervention, directly when in contact with the product to be packed.

Also, the object of this invention is to provide a machine for the packaging of fruits and generally spherical products that reduces the packaging time and the bruising damage that said fruits or similar products could suffer during packaging.

Also, the object of this invention is to provide a machine for the packaging of fruits and generally spherical products that has a support which releases, in a controlled and monitored way, consecutive lines of product on divider trays.

Also, the object of this invention is to provide a packaging machine for fruits, vegetables and products of similar spherical shape which receives said fruit through multiple feed channels and is destined to distribute said fruit on compartmented divider trays, and where said fruit-containing trays are piled up inside a packing box, and where said machine has a tray feeding device that leads to a packing crate which includes a tray support and where said packing crate is mounted, in a movable way, along a vertical axis.

Also, the object of this invention is to provide a packaging machine for fruits, vegetables and generally spherical products which receives said fruit through multiple feed channels and is destined to distribute said fruit on compartmented divider trays, being said machine able to arrange fruit in a trefoil distribution scheme, alternating between trefoil distribution schemes of 4, 5 or 6 lines, and having said machine three packing cranes in order to satisfy market demands. This is an improvement to the fruit packaging machine with Patent AR061018B1, which only allowed packing fruit in a unique trefoil distribution scheme.

Further additional objects of this invention will be described in the appropriate section of the detailed description of this invention and in the attached claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For clarity purposes and for a better understanding of the device, it is illustrated by several images, which are just illustrative and have no limiting effect.

FIG. 1 is a lateral view (sectional view), simplified, of the preferred embodiment of this invention, which shows all the stages or processes that fruit and other generally spherical products go through after being sorted by machines and/or methods existing in prior art.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of this invention, which shows the lines of interchangeable trays appropriate for each trefoil distribution scheme to be used.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the stage in which the fruit and/or generally spherical product is placed in channels, showing feed channels, according with a preferred embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a movable tray, according with a preferred embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an axis which supports multiple stops, according with a preferred embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 6 is a lateral view of a stop, according with a preferred embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 7 is a lateral view of a system that comprises three axes, each one of which supports multiple stops, according with the preferred embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of different interchangeable packing crates, according with a preferred embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of different interchangeable packing crates, according with a preferred embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of this invention, which shows the feed system of the divider trays.

FIG. 11 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of this invention's conveyor belt for packing boxes, which shows the handles that function as stops in order to keep said packing box properly positioned.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Below, a preferred embodiment of this invention's machine for the packaging of fruits is described just for illustrative purposes, highlighting that notwithstanding the fact that the product to be packed referenced is a group of fruits, other kind of products or vegetables generally spherical or near spherical could be packed with this invention's machine. Therefore, based on the understanding that it is necessary to provide a safe, delicate packaging for multiple generally spherical products, and also based on the understanding that fruits gather this type of packaging requirements, a preferred safe packaging of fruits will be illustrated based on the understanding that any kind of generally spherical product that requires delicate handling could be handled with this invention.

This machine is designed to fill packing boxes with fruits of different sizes and proportions, like apples, oranges, tangerines and even vegetables such as zucchini and tomatoes, among others; also, other types of spherical products could be carefully packed by means of this invention; furthermore, by way of explanation, for clarity purposes and for ease of interpretation, the packaging of one kind of fruit will be described below, specifically apples, which will be overlapped and interleaved by divider trays made of cardboard, wood pulp or a similar material.

In every figure, the same reference numbers mean equal or corresponding elements.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are a preferred embodiment of a machine for the packaging of fruits and generally spherical products, which is an improvement of the machine described in Patent AR061018B1.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show that fruits that are generally ready to be packed and sorted descend from the sorting machine and/or hopper and are deposited in multiple feed channels 1 that are leaned downwards in the same direction than the incoming fruit and towards this invention's machine.

FIG. 3 shows an illustration of said feed channels 1, which start in a flat position towards the end near the entrance and increase their depth or concavity towards the end found on the opposite side of the entrance, aligning said fruits along said feed channels 1.

Regarding the improvement to the machine described in Patent AR061018B1, as shown in FIG. 2, this invention's packaging machine has three feed tray lines 2 a, 2 b and 2 c. Feed tray line 2 a has a total of four feed channels 1; feed tray line 2 b has a total of five feed channels 1; and feed tray line 2 c has a total of six feed channels 1. FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of feed tray line 2 a. It should be noted that feed tray lines 2 b and 2 c look similar to feed tray line 2 a, the only difference being the number of feed channels 1 each one has. It should also be noted that since the width of feed tray lines 2 a, 2 b and 2 c is the same, the width of the feed channels 1 of each feed tray line varies in each one of the different trays, in order to fit in its width.

Same as the machine described in Patent AR061018B1, this invention's machine has stops 3 that interfere with the forward movement of the fruit through the feed channels 1, when these are placed in the correct position. Unlike the machine described in Patent AR061018B1, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, these stops 3 are affixed to an axis 4 and alternating along said axis 4, which extends throughout the extension of the three feed tray lines 2 a, 2 b and 2 c. FIG. 5 shows that where the feed tray line 2 a is found four stops 3 are placed alternating along axis 4. Likewise, where the feed tray line 2 b is found five stops 3 are placed alternating along said axis 4. And lastly, where the feed tray line 2 c is found six stops 3 are placed alternating along said axis 4. These distributions match the number of distribution channels 1 that each one of the feed tray lines 2 a, 2 b and 2 c has. These stops 3 serve the same purpose they had in the machine described in Patent AR061018B1.

The axis 4 can be triggered by a regular pneumatic motor controlled by a Programmable Logical Controller (PLC) (not shown) so that it can rotate 180°. Thus, the stops 3 are exchanged and the distribution channel 1 that used to be blocked by a stop 3 is now unblocked while the distribution channel 1 which used to be unblocked is now blocked. This way, there is alternation in fruit distribution between each distribution channel 1 and each cardboard tray piled up in the box to be packed, maximizing its capacity.

An additional characteristic of the improvement to the machine described in Patent AR061018B1 is a system 5 comprised of three axes 4, as shown in picture FIG. 7. In light of current market needs and due to the different fruit sizes, the number of fruits per line varies according to its size in each distribution line in trefoil formation in order to accommodate the largest possible amount of fruit inside the box to be packed. Due to the different starting position of the lines, stops 3 of different sizes are required so that the staggered arrangement of fruit in that trefoil distribution scheme matches those positions. That is why the system 5 consists of three axes 4, each of which has its respective stops 3, arranged according to each feed tray line 2 a, 2 b and 2 c, as appropriate. The size of these stops 3 varies in said three axes 4 so that the position of the fruit in each line in the staggered distribution scheme is appropriate to the box to be packed and to the divider cardboard tray that will be used at the end of the process. Based on the position of the fruit lines, the system 5 rotates 120° so that the appropriate axis 4 is in the correct position and can be placed at the end of feed channels 1. This system 5 rotates due to a regular pneumatic motor controlled by a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) (not shown). Finally, the system 5 can be moved in a direction perpendicular to the feed tray lines 2 a, 2 b and 2 c by means of a pneumatic cylinder 10, to allow fruit circulation along the channels.

Regarding the improvement to the machine described in Patent AR061018B1, featuring only one set of channels, feed tray lines 2 a, 2 b and 2 c and stops 3 are followed by tray lines 6 a, 6 b and 6 c; as shown in FIG. 2. Consistently with feed tray lines 2 a, 2 b and 2 c feed channels 1, tray lines 6 a, 6 b and 6 c have four, five and six channels 7, respectively. FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the tray line 6 a. Again, it should be noted that tray lines 6 b and 6 c look similar to tray line 6 a, the only difference being the number of channels 7 each one has. It should also be noted that the width of tray lines 6 a, 6 b and 6 c is exactly the same, so the width of the feed channels 7 of each tray line varies according to the tray, so that it adjusts to its width.

Said channels 7 are also leaned downwards in the same direction than the incoming fruit and have stops 3 similar to those previously described, affixed to axes 4 which are mounted in a system 5. Said channels 7 are supported by two transverse guides 8.

The whole set of said feed tray lines 2 a, 2 b and 2 c, said tray lines 6 a, 6 b and 6 c, and said systems 5 are powered by a pneumatic cylinder 9 which is controlled by a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), as shown in picture 2. Based on the size and the amount of fruit to be packed, the appropriate tray lines align with the sorting machine.

Same as the machine described in Patent AR061018B1, sensors placed in the channels 7 count the fruits in said channels and detect when the amount of fruit required to fill up the cardboard tray has been reached, stops 3 are placed in their position and, by means of a pneumatic cylinder, the width of the appropriate set of channels 7 is narrowed. This way, fruit is arranged in a trefoil distribution scheme which prevents misalignment.

Afterwards, the stops 3 are removed from the end of the channels 7 and the fruit rolls to a leaning tray 11, which is inclined to this purpose. This tray 11 slides sideways by a pneumatic cylinder 12 controlled by the PLC (FIGS. 4 and 10). Two lateral supports 13 affixed to the packaging machine structure keep fruit in position, while tray 11 slides. This way, fruit falls into a cardboard tray previously placed by a pneumatic cylinder 14 controlled by the PLC, equipped at the end with an anchorage system by absorption 15 that takes the cardboard tray from a pile 16. This anchorage system by absorption 15 can rotate 180° (the cardboard tray rotates too) to alternate said cardboard trays' final positions in the packing box.

Once the cardboard tray is filled up, stops or gates 17 raise and, driven by a pneumatic cylinder 18 controlled by the PLC, said cardboard tray filled with fruit enters into a packing crate 19, which has a front-end opening that lets the fruit tray pass through.

FIG. 8 shows a set of packing crates 19, of three different sizes. Each packing crate 19 has hinged supports 20 to hold the cardboard tray when it comes in driven by the pneumatic cylinder 18. At that moment, such hinged supports 20 are positioned at 90° in order to receive the cardboard tray.

The machine described in Patent AR061018B1 only had one packing crate. The improvement herein proposed consists of three packing crates that match the different types of boxes to be packed commonly used, so as to satisfy market demands. Based on feed tray lines 2 a, 2 b and 2 c, and tray lines 6 a, 6 b and 6 c used at the beginning of the process, the appropriate packing crate 19 will be used. Each packing crate 19 is driven by a pneumatic cylinder 21 controlled by a PLC, which makes them move in a vertical direction so that they align with the incoming cardboard trays. As shown in FIG. 9, at raised position, the packing crates 19 are one inside the other. When the PLC is set up to pack one type of fruit, the packing crate 19 that matches the desired setting, will go down (by means of pneumatic cylinder 21) until it reaches the correct position to allow the entrance of the cardboard tray with fruit.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 10, below the packing crate 19 there is a conveyor belt 22, where boxes to be packed 23 are transported, controlled by the PLC. A set of stops 24 prevent the boxes to be packed 23 to move forward and the movement of the conveyor belt 22 by means of sensors (not shown) placed in such stops 24 and connected to the PLC. In order to keep the box to be packed 23 in the correct place, there are four handles 25 driven by pneumatic cylinders operated by the PLC, that hold the box to be packed 23 from its corners; as shown in FIG. 11.

Once the box to be packed 23 is in the correct position, the corresponding packing crate 19 drops down, driven by the pneumatic cylinder 21. As regards the first cardboard tray, the packing crate 19 will go down almost to the bottom of the box to be packed 23, leaving enough space for the hinged supports 20 to change from a 90° position into a 180° position, releasing the cardboard tray with fruit. Afterwards, the packing crate 19 will rise to the loading position, beginning a new cycle. The packing crate 19 successive drops with the next cardboard trays will follow the same principle: it will go down until it reaches the required distance to allow for hinged supports movement 20 and each cardboard tray with fruit will fall over the one that has been previously packed, until the box to be packed 23 is filled up. All these packing crate 19 drops are controlled and previously programmed by the PLC. Despite being evident, it should be noted that the size of the packing crates 19 is slightly smaller than the size of the packing boxes 23 used, just enough as to allow said packing crates 19 to move freely in a vertical direction.

Once the box to be packed 23 is filled up, the stops 24 and handles 25 release the box to be packed 23, and the conveyor belt 22 starts moving again. Once the full box to be packed 23 moves forward, the stops 24 get back to their position in order to detect the next empty box to be packed 23, and start a new packaging cycle.

The complete cycle is controlled and programmed by a PLC, which is previously set up. When it is required to pack some fruit with specific characteristics, it will only be necessary to select the correct program in the PLC, and the latter will control which tray lines, stops and packing crate will be used. Additionally, the sensor system allows the machine to run without human intervention, automatically detecting when the channels are full, same as with cardboard trays and boxes to be packed.

It should be noted that in this description, three feed tray lines, three tray lines, four, five or six channels per line, and three packing crates were referenced. It is clear that in case of a specific need, more feed tray lines, tray lines, channels and packing crates could be added, as well as the necessary stops for these changes.

Given that the properties of the feed channels 1, the channels 7 and the sensors attached to them are described in Patent AR061018B1, they are not mentioned here again so as not to go into unnecessary details.

The improvements to this packaging machine allow for its use with the wide range of packing boxes and cardboard trays that are used in the market, whereas the machine described in Patent AR061018B1 was limited to only one fruit size, thus requiring the use of a different machine in each case. With these improvements, all market needs can be satisfied with a single machine.

Undoubtedly, in case of implementing this invention, certain engineering and shape details could be modified, which will not entail a departure from the core principles included in the claims described below. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A machine to pack fruits, vegetables and products of similar spherical shape, of the kind that receives fruit through multiple feed channels and distributes said fruit on compartmented divider trays, wherein said trays with fruit pile up inside a packing box; and that includes a packing crate and aspirators that suction divider trays, said machine comprising: a) three or more moveable tray lines consisting of said channels in order to align said products according to their size; b) two or more additional packing crates in order to pack said products according to their size; and c) a conveyor belt in order to transport the packing boxes.
 2. The packaging machine according to claim 1, comprising four, five, six or more channels, respectively in said three or more moveable tray lines in order to align said products according to size.
 3. The packaging machine according to claim 1, comprising in said moveable tray lines have at least one system consisting of three or more axes, wherein each axis supports multiple stops to arrange said products in a trefoil distribution scheme.
 4. The packaging machine according to claim 3, comprising in said system consisting of three or more axes that revolves around its own axis to use different stops according to said products size.
 5. The packaging machine according to claim 3, comprising in said system consisting of three or more axes wherein each axis rotates 180° around itself in order to alternate the position of said products in the trefoil distribution scheme.
 6. The packaging machine according to claim 1, comprising in said suction aspirators which can rotate 180° in order to alternate the divider trays direction.
 7. The packaging machine according to claim 1, comprising in said packing crates have different dimensions and mounted, in a moveable way, along one single vertical axis to pack said products of different sizes.
 8. The packaging machine according to claim 1, comprising said conveyor belt consisting of stops with mechanically driven sensors and handles in order to stop the packing boxes at the right position.
 9. The packaging machine according to claim 8, comprising mechanical actuators, preferably cylindrical and pneumatic, controlled by a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), which are connected to all the moveable components in order to set up and drive said components according to said products size. 